Diuretic Activity of <i>Trianthema portulacastrum</i> Crude Extract in Albino Rats

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the diuretic effect and acute toxicity of the crude aqueous extract of Trianthema portulacastrum in a rat model. Method: Albino rats were divided into five groups. Control group received normal saline (10 mg/kg), reference group received furosemide (10 mg/kg) and test groups were given different doses of crude extract (10, 30 and 50 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal route. Urine was collected and the total volume of urine excreted was expressed as ml/6 hr/100 g body weight. Diuretic index and Lipschitz values were also calculated to make comparison with normal saline and furosemide treated groups, respectively. Results: Significant diuretic (p < 0.001), kaliuretic (p < 0.001) and natriuretic (p < 0.001) effects were observed in treated groups in a dose-dependent manner. Urinary pH remained mostly unchanged during the course of the study. Diuretic index showed good diuretic activity of the crude extract. Lipschitz values indicated that the crude extract at the dose of 50 mg/kg exhibited 79 % diuretic activity compared with that of the reference, furosemide. No lethal effects were observed among albino mice even at the high dose of 3000 mg/kg. Conclusion: The extract of Trianthema portulacastrum, particularly, at the dose of 50 mg/kg significantly increased the urinary volume and concentration of urinary electrolytes with no signs of toxicity and therefore, is a potential diuretic. Further studies, however, are required to isolate the active constituents.

Diuretic Activity of <i>Achyranthes aspera</i> Linn Crude Aqueous Extract in Albino Rats

“…Aa.Cr. was dissolved in distilled water and normal saline for use in in vitro and in vivo experimentation, respectively [11,12].…”

“…We used Furosemide (Lasix, Aventis Pharma, Pakistan), and normal saline (Merck, Germany) as positive and negative controls, respectively [12].…”

“…Aa.Cr. was administered by the intra-peritoneal (IP) route in the Albino rats for the diuretic activity, and by the oral route in mice for the acute toxicity study [12,13].…”

“…for a variety of secondary metabolites (flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, tannins, anthraquinones and saponins) was performed using standard methods [12,13].…”

“…The study was performed at a normal room temperature (25 ± 5 o C). Before experimentation, the bladder of the rats were emptied by gentle compression of the pelvic area and by the pull of their tails [12,13].…”